Hotels - Plaza

About  Plaza

Designed over 100 years ago, Hotel Plaza has a peculiar conical triangle shape, adding to its allure. Early 20th century elements are still reflected in details such as the (partial) original floor in the lobby and the towering windows, sandblasted with the Hotel Plaza’s emblem.

The lobby and nearby bar are lively and abuzz, the soundtrack provided by inspired travelers, the bubbling fountain, and chirping (caged) birds. Stained glass domes in the ceiling - with beautiful Art Nouveau images - filter the sunlight.

The Hotel Plaza has three restaurants and three bars, including Fausto, the buffet restaurant and bar on the fifth floor. This is also where the Plaza’s rooftop terrace is located, which provides expansive city views (not unlike those provided by similar terraces of nearby hotels Parque Central and Inglaterra). Any of these spots provide good respite from Havana’s bustle, and make for a nice place to recharge before heading out for more sightseeing.

Hotel Plaza radiates faded grandeur. Imagine the likes of Albert Einstein and Babe Ruth (both past guests here), walking the halls. Today, the Plaza is an affordable option at a prime location.

Paseo del Prado, Centro Habana, La Habana

La India Fountain

Fuente de La India (La India Fountain) is located in a circus in front of the El Capitolio and Saratoga Hotel, in the city of Havana. The fountain is made in Carrara marble and was sculpted by Giuseppe Gaggini in 1837 for the Count of Villanueva. This fountain represents a brilliant indigenous woman, adorned with a crown of eagle feathers, sitting on her throne, and surrounding by four dolphins whose tongues are fountain pouring water on four shells composing its base. She holds with her hand a defense with the crest of the city, and a horn-shaped basket filled with fruits. This sculptural work has been an inspiration for several poets, and also appearing in several fantastic tales.

Calle Leonor Pérez No. 314, La Habana

Museo Casa Natal de José Martí

The Museo Casa Natal de José Martí (Birthplace Museum) is the house in which José Martí was born, a 19th century politician, intellectual and national hero of the Republic of Cuba. This humble two-floor house was converted into a museum in 1925 and declared a National Monument in 1949. It exhibits personal objects of José Martí, whose spirit is felt in every corner of the restored house. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century, rather close to the city walls, and has typical features of many houses in the area: a tiled roof and mortar walls.  The house was restored and its collection enriched in a community process in 1959. It is interesting to know that this museum contains the only known Oil Portrait of José Martí.

Avenida de las Misiones, La Habana

Edificio Bacardí

The Edificio Bacardí (Bacardí Building) is the first Art Déco building in Havana. It is considered an architectural jewel of its time, as well as one of the best examples of decorative art. Construction finished in 1930, and it was the tallest building on the island at that time. It is said that the building contains marble and granite from almost every nation in Europe. This building has 12 floors, 5 of which are offices for rent, and a total space of 7,031 square meters. Its facade is covered in Baviera red granite and on the top you will see a bat, the symbol of the Bacardí company. At the end of 19th Century, the Bacardi rum was very famous in Cuba and abroad. Its creator, Don Emilio Bacardi, was a Spaniard settled in the island. It is said that he had a bat as a talisman which was used as logo in the first distillery that made him to win fortune. It has a tiered pyramid design, using tiles as a decorative element from Catalonian Modernism, giving the building a wonderful shade effect. The richness of its interior decoration is given mainly by the natural beauty of its marbles, brought from Europe and the typical accessories of Art Deco like lamps, ironworks, drawings, etc. Currently, the building houses Cuban offices, offices for and international companies. The lobby has a bar open to the public and you’ll be able to climb the tower and get a wonderful view over Havana.

Teniente Rey y Villegas, Habana Vieja, La Habana

Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje Church

The Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje Church is a simple yet charming church. It is located in Plaza del Cristo Square, on the western side of Old Havana, away from the city center and tourist areas. The structure of the church is intriguing because of the simplicity of its towers and of its lateral façades, in complete harmony with the character of the works of the 17th century. The church was built in 1732 in the same place where previously there was a Franciscan shrine. Nowadays it has only partially been restored, with its beautiful stained glass windows and brightly colored ceiling being very noteworthy qualities. Inside the church, the image of Jesus on the Cross among travelers and sailors became very popular because it was thought to keep people from harm. On Good Fridays the processions left from the Convento de San Francisco de Asís and ended at the Iglesia del Cristo. The dimensions of the plaza were planned according to the processions that were to take place in it, marking the end of the fourteen crosses or Stations of the Cross. The Plaza del Cristo Square is an ideal place if you want to get far from touristy areas and to witness what real Cuban life is like.

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